The friendly skies are only sometimes so amicable, especially regarding the unwritten air travel rules. A recent incident aboard an American Airlines flight has sparked a heated debate over plane etiquette, specifically regarding window shade control.


The controversy began when a passenger, seeking to share their frustration, took to Reddit with a photo of a fellow traveller who refused to lower the window shade despite the rest of the cabin being dark and a flight attendant's request. The image showed the cabin bathed in sunlight from the man's window while all others were closed.


'Entire cabin dark, FA asks him to lower the shade, and he says 'um no,' the Reddit user wrote, prompting a discussion on the proper etiquette in such a situation.


The debate quickly took off, with opinions as divided as the shades on the plane. Some users staunchly defended the window seat passenger's right to control their immediate environment. 'Window seat gets window control,' one commenter insisted, laying out an unspoken hierarchy of seating rights that frequent flyers abide by.

Others, however, argued that the collective comfort of the cabin should take precedence and that flight attendants' instructions are not mere suggestions. 'Etiquette is to follow crew members' instructions,' another user declared. 'That's the only etiquette. Everything else is made up.'

The discussion also touched on the nuances of different flight scenarios. Some users pointed out that on long-haul international flights, keeping shades down can be crucial for helping passengers adjust to time zone changes and get some rest. Conversely, on domestic flights, the expectation to comply with such requests might be less stringent unless it pertains to safety.


This isn't the first time window shades have been at the center of an in-flight controversy. Earlier this year, a content creator named Umaymah shared a video on TikTok of a child repeatedly closing the window shade that was by her seat, despite having his own. The post sparked a similar debate, with some siding with Umaymah's right to her window view and others suggesting she should have been more accommodating given the young age of her seatmate.

The window shade wars highlight a broader conversation about the balance between individual rights and collective responsibility in shared spaces. As air travel continues to rebound and planes fill up, these discussions are more relevant than ever.

For our senior members at the Seniors Discount Club, we understand that comfort during travel is paramount. Whether it's needing light to read by or preferring a darkened cabin to rest, it's clear that communication and compromise are key to a peaceful journey.

So, what do you think, dear members? Should the person in the window seat have absolute control over the shade? Or should they acquiesce to the requests of flight attendants and fellow passengers for the greater good? Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation? Share your stories and opinions in the comments below, and let's navigate the turbulent skies of plane etiquette together.